The recent approval in the first round of the Draft Law on Sustainable Consumption by the Spanish Government marks a milestone in environmental regulation. This new regulation, promoted by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and the 2030 Agenda, introduces Unprecedented restrictions on advertising of fossil fuels and certain highly polluting products, with the aim of promoting more sustainable habits and strengthening the protection of both consumers and the environment.
The new law responds to a growing social and parliamentary demand which demands greater commitment to the climate crisis, after finding that 1% of the population is responsible for a proportion of polluting emissions far greater than that of millions of citizens. According to the authorities, it is essential that the burden of the ecological transition does not fall solely on individuals, but that the economic system assumes a greater share of responsibility on the path towards a more conscious production and consumption model.
Ban on advertising for fossil fuels and polluting vehicles
The central measure proposed by the legal text is the Ban on all direct advertising of energy products made exclusively from fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, and the promotion of vehicles that operate solely on these fuels. The restriction will primarily apply to advertisements made by companies in the oil and coal sectors, with gas excluded from this initial set of restrictions.
Regarding the transport sector, the following is established: veto on advertising campaigns for short-haul peninsular flights In cases where there is a less polluting alternative means of transport (such as the train) and the time difference does not exceed two and a half hours compared to the original journey. This specific measure aims to Discourage the use of airplanes for internal travel, which can easily be replaced by more environmentally friendly options..
Measures against misleading advertising and planned obsolescence
The law also incorporates Important developments in the fight against greenwashingAll generic and unverifiable claims about sustainability, such as "green," "biodegradable," or "environmentally friendly," will be expressly prohibited on labels, advertisements, or brands, provided these terms lack objective scientific support. The aim is to provide a more truthful and transparent information to the consumer.
Another of the most relevant novelties is the fight against planned obsolescenceThe regulations will encourage product repairs during the warranty period, increasing the coverage period by twelve months if the consumer chooses to repair rather than replace. Furthermore, manufacturers and distributors will be required to cover part of the repair costs in the first few years after the warranty expires, with decreasing percentages to facilitate the option of repair over immediate replacement.
The text regulates the creation of a online platform of authorized repairers, accessible free of charge, where consumers can request quotes and arrange repairs with transparency. Business practices such as Hide software updates that negatively affect functionality or present optional updates as if they were mandatory, to avoid confusion among users.
Regulation of ticket resale and reduflation
In relation to cultural and entertainment consumption, the law provides for the ban on ticket resale when the price exceeds the original price, combating abusive practices that harm consumers and the cultural industry. This measure complements the previous ban on the use of bots for mass ticket purchases for resale.
The draft also addresses the problem of reduflation, which consists of reducing the content or quantity of a product without changing its price. Companies will be required to Clearly report any changes in characteristics, quantity or units If they maintain or increase the price, they will have a maximum period of 90 days to communicate this from the moment they market the new version. The objective is avoid deception and promote greater transparency in information.
Social, economic and ecological perspective
Minister Pablo Bustinduy has highlighted that The ecological transition must be accompanied by social justice, equity and environmental protection. For this reason, a tax package to ensure that the biggest polluters assume greater tax responsibility, in line with the principle that negative environmental impact should be reflected in taxation.
Major energy and automotive companies are already preparing their submissions during the public consultation, although they acknowledge that many of their recent campaigns have focused on products with renewable components or multi-energy solutions. However, the law establishes strict criteria to prevent these strategies from neutralizing the restrictions.
The bill is still being processed in the public hearing phase before the final debate in the Council of Ministers and its subsequent submission to Congress. The Government's intention is to move towards a more responsible, fair and sustainable consumption model.
Measures like these, inspired by European directives, seek to transform the relationship between citizens, businesses and the environment, promoting a greater role of renewable energies and a deployment of more transparent and respectful consumptionThis will allow Spain to make progress in reducing greenhouse gases and in its commitment to combating climate change, modernizing its regulatory framework to respond to current ecological and social challenges.
